Judge Owen simply wasn’t a good choice

I feel it is important that I answer the comments by Michael Klein in his Sept. 25 letter to the editor regarding Sen. Maria Cantwell’s vote opposing the Bush appointment of Priscilla Owen’s nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. (“Partisan politics: Nomination of Judge Owen was axed”). The vote by the committee was 10 against to 9 for the appointment. Cantwell was not the only one on the committee who was opposed to the nomination.

Priscilla Owens was strongly criticized by White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, who was on the Texas Supreme Court with Owen. He wrote that if a particular opinion of Owen’s were adopted it would improperly require the court to “judicially amend the statute.”

The New York Times, in an editorial against her confirmation, wrote “she favors manufacturers over consumers, employers over workers, and insurers over sick people” and “her willingness to ignore the text and intent of the laws that stand in her way.” The appointment to a judgeship is a tremendous obligation. I am surprised that Bush would bring the nomination to the committee of this person who he had to know would be very controversial. The people of the Fifth Circuit deserve better. I am pleased that Cantwell was one of the 10 who opposed the nomination. Abortion – pro or con – had no bearing on this hearing.

Lynnwood